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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

OH, MIL and Bloody Hand luggage. AIBU??

118 replies

KrayKray00 · 15/08/2017 07:57

Due to fly out on holiday this week.

Not married but for sake of the post will put MIL to simplify things and me and OH have been together 9 years.

Anyway, I am being told I am being unreasonable.

Both of my two children both have those trunkies for hand luggage they were gifts from MIL
They are big and bulky and actually don't hold a lot, in these I have packed an assortment of items to keep my children occupied on the 6 hour flight.

Here is the dispute. OH and MiL are telling me I cannot take a small backpack for my youngest (who is 2) in this bag I have put 5 nappies, nappy cream, a pack of wipes, light change of clothes and an empty water bottle ( no liquids through customs) they have told me I cannot take this bag as he already has hand luggage.

However every time I go abroad I take a large hand luggage bag and a small handbag (usually a cross over the body one)
MIL does too, so if we are allowed handbags then surely my 2 year old can have a small changing bag?

I thought it was done on weight anyway? His backpack is tiny and weighs next to nothing I said I would happily put it in my "hand luggage bag" and now OH is in a strop because he thinks MiL will have to pay fees if we go over our allowance (booked in her name).

I don't want to keep getting the bloody "trunki" out and unpacked every time my son needs baby wipes or a nappy change.

AIBU or are those actually the rules? Sorry for the long post but holidays are bloody stressful!

OP posts:
Original poster
KrayKray00 · 15/08/2017 08:16

We are flying with Thomas Cook.

Ragwort I usually get on with MIL very very well. She has paid for this holiday so I think that is why OH agrees with her and worries about a charge for the bag. I will take that good luck though as I am sure I will need it after a few days Grin

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 15/08/2017 08:16

depends virgin allow another handbag type carry on but some dont

double check-also nappy cream not sure it can go on unless undr 100ml

Ragwort · 15/08/2017 08:17

The fact that your OH is more worried about upsetting his mother than causing you pretty major inconvenience speaks volumes about the dynamic of your partnership.

Totally agree. I have an only child - a DS - I hope to goodness I don't turn out like some of the MILs you read about here - disclaimer - I had a wonderful MIL myself.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 15/08/2017 08:17

It sounds exhausting.

I'm not sure why the nappies and wipes can't go in your bag or your OH's. You can't take the nappy cream through security anyway, and can buy a bottle of water airside. Does he really need a change of clothes?

Headofthehive55 · 15/08/2017 08:18

Use two waist pouches instead fir you and H. Nappies in one, clothes in other.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 15/08/2017 08:20

OK, so just looked up Thomas Cook rules on hand luggage - took literally seconds - and children can have ONE bag.

There you go: question answered, OH and MIL right.

exLtEveDallas · 15/08/2017 08:20

We've just flown with Thomas Cook. On the way out women were being told to put their handbags inside their cabin bags. There were a few complaints at the security check.

In the way back it seemed to be a free for all and there were a number of angry families complaining about the overhead lockers being full of suitcases before they'd even boarded. We ended up being asked to put our 3 rucksacks at our feet to allow another couple to put their cases in the lockers. People were carrying handbags and carrier bags as well as cases. It was pretty ridiculous. The small cases were only designed for people who didn't have hold baggage. Now it seems people are packing both to the brim.

TBH I'd sack the trunkies - they are more trouble than they are worth.

NancyJoan · 15/08/2017 08:21

Just shove the rucksack in your bag. They can't charge you extra for having a bag in a bag. Or even a bag in a bag in a bag in a bag in a bag in a bag.

Madwoman5 · 15/08/2017 08:23

Handbag into nappy bag then 1 piece. Unless dh is not having hand luggage then nb can be his. Ignore them.

PrimalLass · 15/08/2017 08:24

Why didn't you check the airline rules before asking on Mumsnet?

Sciurus83 · 15/08/2017 08:25

Completely depends on the airline, you should be prepared to put it all in one bag if asked. FWIW I absolutely hate when people take more than one piece of hand luggage on board. It fills me with great joy when airlines actually enforce this rule because the number of times people with 2 or even 3 pieces of luggage take all the overhead locker space so I have to put my bag in a locker somewhere down the aisle, then it's a pain trying to get to it to disembark. One bag per person is how much space there is on the plane, so one bag only should go on the plane! (This is a bit of a pet hate for me)

MrEBear · 15/08/2017 08:28

Put kids change stuff in the trunki in a draw string bag or carrier so you only need that when going to change them. Trunkis actually hold quite a lot of stuff. Put the trunki at kids feet rather than the overhead bin then it's easy to access kids can put stuff in out as they please.

Petalbird · 15/08/2017 08:28

Scrap the trunkis any type of case is a nightmare with kids cause taking toys out of them on a plane is not easy. Backpacks so so much easier (especially if the kid is old enough to carry them)

skyzumarubble · 15/08/2017 08:29

Trunkis are a royal pain in the arse. Small, bulky, hit people ankles, take up loads of room in the overhead lockers.

Leave it behind and get a rucksack.

Mayvis · 15/08/2017 08:29

Do you need two trunkis full of stuff for the kids?

We took a small children's backpack with stuff in just recently (couldn't take tablets on flight). I could keep it by my feet so easy to get stuff out. A trunks would need to go above your head and be a right pain to keep getting stuff.

Spare clothes went in my own adult backpack along with my purse etc. Empty handbag was packed in my main case.

Laiste · 15/08/2017 08:29

I read the title as Ohhhhhh MIL as well Grin Doesn't matter.

OP if you are the one who is going to end up doing the lions share of child organsing and care on the flight and through the holiday then it's you who decide which is the best bags to take. If the trunkie things are a PITA don't use them and use something for each child which is easy to get into and holds what you need. Bugger anyone else's opinion. How would OH or MIL feel if it was up to you what luggage they do or do not get to use?

chantico · 15/08/2017 08:30

I think that your DP and MIL might be correct. Not all airlines allow second bags (women being allowed a handbag plus another bag being the anomaly which some airlines have removed).

Handbaggage - if checked - is by volume, not weight.

You need to put the nappy supplies elsewhere. Either remove some items from a trunki (which is pretty much the max size for carry-on) and out it in there, or put it in yours. You don't need a backpack (to remove volume that needs to be fitted in to another back, just put it in a carrier bag or similar.

Ant yes, nappy cream counts as liquid, so needs to be a less than 100ml size (not bigger but part empty) and in a clear plastic sealable bag (20x20)

Your DP should be telling his mother that he'll cover any excess costs if you are charged them. And you need plan B if you do try it and they tell you one bag must be checked in.

Laiste · 15/08/2017 08:31

Oh and i'd absolutely take a light change of clothes for a 2 year old.

dementedpixie · 15/08/2017 08:31

Ditch the trunkies, take backpacks for everyone. fits more stuff in and they can fit under the plane seat in front so easier to access mid flight.

Youcanstayundermyumbrella · 15/08/2017 08:36

Are you checking luggage too? In which case you could take this bag as your own carry on. But as that would be really straightforward I assume the adults all have suitcases to carry on which is where the problem arises. Can you redistribute anything currently in a trunki to a suitcase to leave room in one of them?

TuckMyWin · 15/08/2017 08:40

So, yes, each person who has their own seat gets one piece of hand luggage. However, I don't understand. You've said you'll put this backpack inside your own hand luggage and they still have a problem? Do they think the airline charge for bags within bags? That you'll get charged for your makeup bag and wash bag as well if they are in your hand luggage? Sounds like this has turned into an 'I need to be right' argument to me....

Sparkletastic · 15/08/2017 08:43

Trunkis are shit as hand luggage. Agree with others saying ditch those in favour of a much more manageable back pack for each child.

TestTubeTeen · 15/08/2017 08:45

1.A Trunki for a 2 year old will be a total pain: but never mind, DH / MIL can carry / tow it.

  1. If the 2 year old has their own seat they have their allowance: the Trunki.
  2. Can you and DH not incorporate nappy kit within your respective hand luggage? (Which needs to be a rucksack, so that you can manhandle kids and bloody Trunkis), and have a small cross body bag for passport / boarding cards etc. Fit this in your rucksack at check in and at the gate.

As a budget airline with loads of holiday passengers they may we'll stop you having more than one bag each. But you don't need more, just a bag for each of you and DH containing all the necessaries.

I don't think they make you pay more for extra hand baggage, they just make you put it in the hold (and charge). That would be ridiculous for a changing bag.

ALL of you seem to be making a minor issue into a hoo ha, and taking the hardest route....

Calm down and really enjoy the fact that you have a paid for holiday.

rookiemere · 15/08/2017 08:46

You all seem a bit unhinged.

Surely the logical thing to do in the first place is to check the airline website as to what their luggage policy is.

It sounda like you wanted a bit of a whinge about the trunkis and your MIL rather than just figuring out what you are allowed to take as the dimensions and weight allowances, plus number of bags vary by airline.

Squarerouteofsquirrel · 15/08/2017 08:47

Put it in the trunkie whilst you go through checks and remove when cleared. Then keep it as hand luggage.

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